Five tips for choosing a berry picker

A berry picker is one of the most essential tools for anyone spending time in nature during late summer and early autumn. While berry picking isn’t exactly a gear-intensive activity, having the right equipment can make it significantly more enjoyable. Let’s take a look at the key features of berry pickers through five practical tips based on experience.

1. Picking position

Berry pickers can roughly be divided into two categories based on picking position: traditional berry pickers, which require you to bend down to the berry patch, and rake-style pickers, which allow picking while standing. Rake-style pickers are especially suitable for those whose back or legs don’t tolerate repeated bending. On the other hand, most rake-style pickers require you to carry a berry container in your other hand, into which the berries are raked.

2. Berries being picked

The type of berry has a minor influence on the choice of picker. If you want to efficiently collect small berries, such as crowberries, it is beneficial for the picker to have a closed bottom to prevent berries from falling through. The same issue can occur with lingonberries that remain small during a dry summer. Collecting small berries is also easier with sufficiently dense tines.

Whether the bottom of the picker is closed or open does not significantly affect how clean the berries are, even though some debris may fall through a grid-style bottom: once the picker is full of berries, debris can no longer pass through.

3. Picker’s habits

Berry pickers can playfully be divided into calm pickers and those who move quickly through the forest. The former work at a relaxed pace, enjoying each stroke while ensuring the berries are as clean as possible. The latter, like the writer, aim to maximize time spent picking and rely on good tools for cleaning the berries afterward.

If your pace in the forest is slow, a smaller picker may be advantageous. Faster pickers, on the other hand, may prefer a larger-capacity picker that doesn’t need to be emptied every few minutes.

4. Handle

During long berry-picking trips, ergonomics and equipment functionality become especially important. Non-chafing clothing and well-fitting shoes are a given, but the fit of the berry picker in your hand is also crucial. When buying a picker, try it out and make sure the handle feels comfortable in your hand.

Poimu berry pickers feature a hardwood handle inspired by high-quality knife and carving tool handles. Wood is a warm and soft material that doesn’t cause sweating, helping to prevent blisters.

5. Materials

The materials used in a berry picker reveal a great deal about its qualities, and above all, its expected lifespan. When choosing a picker, test the strength of the tines by bending them. If they bend easily and remain bent, problems are likely in the field. Also examine how the handle is attached and consider whether it can withstand thousands upon thousands of strokes.

All berry pickers can, of course, be used to collect berries, so it’s worth focusing on your own habits and the long-term usability of the tool. The better the picker suits you, the more enjoyable your berry-picking trips will be!